Microbiological and Product Quality Consequences of Housing Laying Hens in Production Systems

1. Evaluate the role of various production and management systems and storage and processing practices on egg safety (and quality). This project focuses on critical points that may influcence USDA shell egg grade standards and federally mandated conditions. 2. Evaluate the role of various production and management systems on the detection, transmission, and persistence of Salmonella spp. in eggs and the surrounding production environment (e.g. flocks and house contamination). 3. Evaluate the role of various production and management systems on the effectiveness of shell egg processing guidelines utilized in the U.S.